Eventus Legal are seeking a Criminal Solicitor to join the established, Legal 500-recognised criminal defence team of a multi-disciplinary law firm in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. This is a full-time, permanent, office-based job with flexible, above-market-rate pay starting at £45,000, depending on experience. Offering a varied criminal and motoring caseload, paid out-of-hours work, a generous holiday package and structured supervision, this is an excellent opportunity for a solicitor looking to develop their advocacy and build a long-term career in criminal law.

Role Responsibilities

Working within a busy crime team, you will manage criminal defence matters and represent clients from police station attendance through to court proceedings. Key responsibilities will include:

• Managing a varied criminal defence caseload, including general crime and motoring offences, with appropriate supervision.
• Providing police station advice and representation across South Essex, including Southend, Grays and Chelmsford.
• Conducting advocacy on behalf of clients in the Magistrates’ Court.
• Preparing and progressing Crown Court matters, including liaising with Counsel and clients.
• Taking witness statements, preparing case papers and drafting legal documents.
• Participating in the evening and weekend on-call rota, expected to be approximately once a week.

Person Specification

The firm welcomes applications from newly qualified solicitors as well as more experienced criminal practitioners. You should also be able to demonstrate the following:

• Qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales and current police station accreditation.
• Experience or demonstrable ability in criminal defence casework, police station attendances and Magistrates’ Court advocacy.
• Confidence managing files, preparing Crown Court cases and communicating effectively with clients and Counsel.
• Strong organisation, sound judgement and the ability to work under pressure as part of a team.
• A full, clean UK driving licence, access to your own car and the ability to travel promptly to courts and police stations throughout Essex.
• Availability to work from the firm’s Westcliff office, with possible attendance at its Benfleet or Billericay offices, and to take part in the out-of-hours rota.
• Duty solicitor accreditation is desirable but not essential; support to work towards it is available. Higher Rights of Audience would also be welcomed but are not required.

Benefits and Rewards

Alongside a competitive salary, the firm offers practical development and additional earning opportunities. The successful Criminal Solicitor will also benefit from:

• Flexible, above-market-rate salary starting at £45,000, with the final package dependent on experience.
• Additional remuneration for qualifying out-of-hours work and police station attendances, with the payment arrangements confirmed during recruitment.
• A generous holiday package, with the precise entitlement confirmed during the recruitment process.
• Ongoing training, supervision and support towards duty solicitor accreditation where required.
• Opportunities to develop advocacy skills and progress within an established criminal defence practice.
• A full-time, office-based working arrangement, principally at the Westcliff office.

About the Law Firm

Our client is an established, multi-disciplinary law firm with a Legal 500-recognised criminal defence practice and Lexcel accreditation. Its experienced team advises on a broad range of criminal and motoring matters, representing clients at police stations and in the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts. The firm offers a personable team environment, continued training and a clear opportunity to build specialist criminal litigation and advocacy experience.

Next Steps

Apply now to be considered for this career-enhancing job opportunity. Alternatively, for a confidential discussion about this Criminal Solicitor job in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, please send your CV to Siobhan Courtney at the Eventus Recruitment Group via email at siobhan.courtney@eventuslegal.com or phone 07970 252772 for a confidential discussion. Due to the high volume of applications, if you have not heard from us within ten days, unfortunately you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.

If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact me at the details above for a confidential discussion on your career.

The Eventus Recruitment Group are award-winning recruitment specialists operating in the Legal, Finance and Financial Planning sectors across the UK. Please note, the years' experience and/or salary are listed in our advertisements as a guide. We are happy to consider applications from all candidates who are able to demonstrate the skills necessary to fulfil the role. As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and circumstances. Our privacy policy can be found on the bottom of our website.